Bluewater Grill, Carlsbad, CA
Seafood rules supreme at Bluewater Grill, and in Carlsbad, this family-friendly restaurant is a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. We met two fellow diners—who also happen to be locals—who told us that this is the place they come back to time and again for sustainable fresh seafood, excellent service and relaxed vibe. Hint: if the locals love it, you should check it out on your staycation.
Bluewater Grill is known for their gorgeous fresh fish counter that meets you upon entering the restaurant. They pride themselves on quality: sustainable, fresh seafood procured directly from fishermen. All of their offerings are in-season. During swordfish season, Bluewater actually operates its own harpoon boat in the waters of Baja California.
We began the evening with cocktails, of course! The apple pie old fashioned was well-balanced and classic with a fun and decadent twist, featuring Old Grand Dad 100 bourbon, Liquid Alchemist apple syrup and Angostura bitters. We also sipped the Napa gin and tonic—a refreshing and bright upgrade to the classic g&t with DamWelle Gin, Fever Tree tonic, rosemary simple syrup, and fresh orange and lime juices.
Their menu features an array of appetizers, from baked crab and artichoke dip to grilled Spanish octopus. They also have an impressive range of raw bar and shellfish offerings, like oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, and braised mussels with Spanish chorizo.
For our start, we went for seared scallops with roasted jalapeño aioli. It was the perfect beginning, with three perfectly prepared sea scallops set on tomato oil and topped with chopped bacon and fresh cilantro. We inhaled these, not just because we were hungry from a day of adventure in Carlsbad, but also because the scallops were fabulous, with a beautiful crust from the sear balanced with the rich but bright aioli.
When it comes to cooking fish, this kitchen excels. For our entrees, we ordered chipotle-blackened swordfish with dirty rice topped with corn and avocado relish, as well as cedar plank salmon (cooked and served on a piece of cedar!) topped with maple-Dijon glaze alongside scalloped potatoes and broccolini. The swordfish was tender, which is something we always look for when ordering this fish. The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a pleasant complimentary sweetness from the Dijon glaze. The components of each entree were excellent, and like the appetizer, they were gone quick. Delicious!
We paired our entrees with the 2018 Trimbach pinot blanc from France and 2017 La Crema pinot noir from the winery’s Monterey, California vineyard. We know and love La Crema, and the bright and lively pinot noir did not disappoint. This particular pinot blanc was not our favorite, and next time we’ll probably opt for a sauvignon blanc or—I can’t believe we’re saying this—a California chardonnay to stand up to the decadent fish.
Key Lime Pie was our dessert choice, made in-house and not too sweet (the way we like it). It was rich and creamy but still bright and refreshing, thanks to the fresh key limes. Like everything else we ate on our visit, we were impressed.
Bluewater Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 9pm, and has ample seating at the bar, in the dining room and on their outdoor patio. We’ll definitely be making reservations next time we are in Carlsbad—make yours here!
Read our Carlsbad Staycation Guide here.